Harvester Golf Club - Iowa

Was on the website today, and was shocked they are closed for the year for renovations and reopening next year as a private club again. I think the craziest part is they are making improvements to an already amazing course. Sad it is going to be private, glad I played it when i did. So underrated.

http://www.harvestergolf.com/

EDIT: That being said, have already requested national membership information.

I had plans to play it last summer and they feel through. Totally bummed. I will have to see what I can make happen to get on in 2019.

Wonder where Iowa State will play in 2018 and if they’ll have rights to play there in 2019.

Wonder where Iowa State will play in 2018 and if they’ll have rights to play there in 2019.

Was that their home course? I had no idea.

Just saw that as well. I was going to try and take my buddies up there for my 40th this year from KC. Very disappointed

I’m going to call and hope they have some sort of contingency to allow public play at a premium or on site lodging/stay and play packages. That golf course was so close to perfect. Grateful for the rounds I’ve played there the last 10 years.

I'm going to call and hope they have some sort of contingency to allow public play at a premium or on site lodging/stay and play packages. That golf course was so close to perfect. Grateful for the rounds I've played there the last 10 years.

If they respond, let us know. I played it for the first time last year and it has become one of my favorite courses I played.

I'm going to call and hope they have some sort of contingency to allow public play at a premium or on site lodging/stay and play packages. That golf course was so close to perfect. Grateful for the rounds I've played there the last 10 years.

 

If they respond, let us know. I played it for the first time last year and it has become one of my favorite courses I played.

If they won’t allow public access that makes me sad. That course is as good as anything up in that part of the country. Including Whistling Straits and Erin Hills.

Bump...any updates? 100% private now without public access?

Bump...any updates? 100% private now without public access?

It will be completely private. I emailed them about membership and they emailed me back saying they would have details at a later time. But closed for the year.

NOOOOOOO!!!!! I live 30 minutes away and still have not played it. Sounds like I may never get the chance, and that would suck. Keep us updated!

Well that's a HUGE bummer. Me and a buddy were planning on going up there this year to play a couple rounds... And to think I lived in Des Moines for 3 years and never took the time to play it... *sigh*

Also... Who do they think is going to join there? The nearest metro is DSM and it already has Des Moines golf and Wakanda. Its also not exactly close...

Not to mention Glen Oaks, Echo Valley, Hyperion and several decent public courses. It is a very good course but I would be surprised if they got over 200 members.

It's not about money. The owner has said that. He wants perfection of a golf course. He said if it was about money he would build more apartments and housing (other businesses he owns). But with golf, it isn't about the money or membership.

Not to mention Glen Oaks, Echo Valley, Hyperion and several decent public courses. It is a very good course but I would be surprised if they got over 200 members.

I'm always amazed DSM metro can support as many quality golf courses as it can. I thought I was spoiled growing in in Springfield, Missouri... But the golf in Des Moines is truly outstanding. If only the winters didn't last forever.... And If only I'd had more time to play when I lived there...

It's not about money. The owner has said that. He wants perfection of a golf course. He said if it was about money he would build more apartments and housing (other businesses he owns). But with golf, it isn't about the money or membership.

Is it the same guy who lives in Ankeny and owns his own golf course? Cause dang whoever owns it must really not care about money...

That’s just it. Most locals know there are much better options price wise in the greater Des Moines area so they skipped the harvester and it’s $130 green fee thinking they would get to play it later. I live in Texas and every year would get to play it and it was a religious experience every time. It’s not hard to grow great grass and greens in Iowa so every course was always exceptional.

That's just it. Most locals know there are much better options price wise in the greater Des Moines area so they skipped the harvester and it's $130 green fee thinking they would get to play it later. I live in Texas and every year would get to play it and it was a religious experience every time. It's not hard to grow great grass and greens in Iowa so every course was always exceptional.

I'm guilty of it as well. I always intended on playing it and was going to this year. I agree with your point too, I mean, when I lived in DSM TCI was $50 and was much closer to where I lived. I was in Law school there so time and cash were things I had little of.

I also agree about course conditions there. Even the Muni I used to play in DSM was usually in pretty decent shape. My whole time there I never played a course that was in "bad" shape... Maybe a little damp in the spring but that's it. Better than I can say in southwest Missouri or DFW (where I spend a large amount of my time these days).

Shoot me a DM and let’s play. I’m in ft worth

Not to mention Glen Oaks, Echo Valley, Hyperion and several decent public courses. It is a very good course but I would be surprised if they got over 200 members.

 

I'm always amazed DSM metro can support as many quality golf courses as it can. I thought I was spoiled growing in in Springfield, Missouri... But the golf in Des Moines is truly outstanding. If only the winters didn't last forever.... And If only I'd had more time to play when I lived there...

It's not about money. The owner has said that. He wants perfection of a golf course. He said if it was about money he would build more apartments and housing (other businesses he owns). But with golf, it isn't about the money or membership.

 

Is it the same guy who lives in Ankeny and owns his own golf course? Cause dang whoever owns it must really not care about money...

Dennis Albaugh owns the Talons Course, he is a billionaire.

NOOOOOOO!!!!! I live 30 minutes away and still have not played it. Sounds like I may never get the chance, and that would suck. Keep us updated!

Yep, we dropped the ball, were going to play it last year, said we will just get it next year. I guess we done f'd up.

In Manhattan for the daughters ballet competition and talking with the wife about all the arts stuff we both enjoy and realizing if we lived here we would never see any of it. We will do it next week never comes. And like the harvester, next week is too late

Not to mention Glen Oaks, Echo Valley, Hyperion and several decent public courses. It is a very good course but I would be surprised if they got over 200 members.

 

I'm always amazed DSM metro can support as many quality golf courses as it can. I thought I was spoiled growing in in Springfield, Missouri... But the golf in Des Moines is truly outstanding. If only the winters didn't last forever.... And If only I'd had more time to play when I lived there...

It's not about money. The owner has said that. He wants perfection of a golf course. He said if it was about money he would build more apartments and housing (other businesses he owns). But with golf, it isn't about the money or membership.

 

Is it the same guy who lives in Ankeny and owns his own golf course? Cause dang whoever owns it must really not care about money...

 

Dennis Albaugh owns the Talons Course, he is a billionaire.

The Harvester is owned by Dickson Jensen, he's a real estate developer in the Ames area. He's also built two insane AAU basketball facilities in Ames that are incredible. I've also heard the same thing too that he does not care about whether the course makes money or not, just built the course for him and his friends to play at. Both times I've played there it has been fairly empty with only a couple of other groups playing at the most. Now I know that two times isn't anywhere close to being a big enough sample size to make any broad statements about the number of golfers they get throughout the season, but if that's the norm it would make sense to go private and get a more consistent cash stream coming from membership compared to public greens fees. Also, I've heard he wants the course to be a top 100 golf course and so that explains the renovations and possibly going private.

Not to mention Glen Oaks, Echo Valley, Hyperion and several decent public courses. It is a very good course but I would be surprised if they got over 200 members.

 

I'm always amazed DSM metro can support as many quality golf courses as it can. I thought I was spoiled growing in in Springfield, Missouri... But the golf in Des Moines is truly outstanding. If only the winters didn't last forever.... And If only I'd had more time to play when I lived there...

It's not about money. The owner has said that. He wants perfection of a golf course. He said if it was about money he would build more apartments and housing (other businesses he owns). But with golf, it isn't about the money or membership.

 

Is it the same guy who lives in Ankeny and owns his own golf course? Cause dang whoever owns it must really not care about money...

 

Dennis Albaugh owns the Talons Course, he is a billionaire.

The Harvester is owned by Dickson Jensen, he's a real estate developer in the Ames area. He's also built two insane AAU basketball facilities in Ames that are incredible. I've also heard the same thing too that he does not care about whether the course makes money or not, just built the course for him and his friends to play at. Both times I've played there it has been fairly empty with only a couple of other groups playing at the most. Now I know that two times isn't anywhere close to being a big enough sample size to make any broad statements about the number of golfers they get throughout the season, but if that's the norm it would make sense to go private and get a more consistent cash stream coming from membership compared to public greens fees. Also, I've heard he wants the course to be a top 100 golf course and so that explains the renovations and possibly going private.

I have played there twice. The first time my girlfriend and I played, we didn't see a single person. 2nd time we played we passed a 4 some early in the round and didn't see anyone else. Both time we were the only ones on the range, in the pro shop etc. When it reopens I am definitely going to do what I can to play it. Can only imagine how good it will be.

There are updates on the course website showing what they're doing to the course and clubhouse.

Harvester Golf Club Visions

They also have a picture of the proposed changes to the course.

Changes look pretty nice. Can't believe they will be going private and no longer public. Guess I should have went last summer to play instead of waiting.

Was on the website today, and was shocked they are closed for the year for renovations and reopening next year as a private club again. I think the craziest part is they are making improvements to an already amazing course. Sad it is going to be private, glad I played it when i did. So underrated.

 

http://www.harvestergolf.com/

 

 

EDIT: That being said, have already requested national membership information.

Did you end up finding out about memberships?

Was on the website today, and was shocked they are closed for the year for renovations and reopening next year as a private club again. I think the craziest part is they are making improvements to an already amazing course. Sad it is going to be private, glad I played it when i did. So underrated.

 

http://www.harvestergolf.com/

 

 

EDIT: That being said, have already requested national membership information.

 

Did you end up finding out about memberships?

I requested info, and they responded that they would have info in the future. Ha, so no.

Was on the website today, and was shocked they are closed for the year for renovations and reopening next year as a private club again. I think the craziest part is they are making improvements to an already amazing course. Sad it is going to be private, glad I played it when i did. So underrated.

 

http://www.harvestergolf.com/

 

 

EDIT: That being said, have already requested national membership information.

 

Did you end up finding out about memberships?

 

I requested info, and they responded that they would have info in the future. Ha, so no.

Gotcha. Just realized they aren’t actually opening until 2020 as well. Wow.

Was on the website today, and was shocked they are closed for the year for renovations and reopening next year as a private club again. I think the craziest part is they are making improvements to an already amazing course. Sad it is going to be private, glad I played it when i did. So underrated.

 

http://www.harvestergolf.com/

 

 

EDIT: That being said, have already requested national membership information.

 

Did you end up finding out about memberships?

 

I requested info, and they responded that they would have info in the future. Ha, so no.

 

Gotcha. Just realized they aren't actually opening until 2020 as well. Wow.

May be longer than 2020, given the other issues that their architect is facing.

Was on the website today, and was shocked they are closed for the year for renovations and reopening next year as a private club again. I think the craziest part is they are making improvements to an already amazing course. Sad it is going to be private, glad I played it when i did. So underrated.

 

http://www.harvestergolf.com/

 

 

EDIT: That being said, have already requested national membership information.

 

Did you end up finding out about memberships?

 

I requested info, and they responded that they would have info in the future. Ha, so no.

 

Gotcha. Just realized they aren't actually opening until 2020 as well. Wow.

 

May be longer than 2020, given the other issues that their architect is facing.

Where does it say 2020, website still says May 2019.

Is Foster in jail already? I don't know what protocol is for something like that, does he keep working. I am assuming he has a trial in the future. Maybe they get someone else to come in. What an odd/crappy situation.